He reaches for my hand. “Can I come in?”
“It’s better than having this conversation out in the hall where psychos who don’t have family that cares about them are lingering, waiting to catch us.” I say this louder than necessary in case anyone really is hiding in the hallway can hear me.
Knox chuckles at my words and walks in.
“You have to listen to me, okay?” He walks into the living room without an invitation, his body shadowing the place. “Amelia came to see me before the show. She was actually hoping to meet you. It felt like the Amelia from years ago when she was normal.”
I don’t like the sound of that. Could this be an Amelia he can fall in love with?
“Anyway,” his hand rubs the back of his neck, his fidgeting driving me crazy. “She came to see me to tell me she fired her publicist and was going to release a statement revealing the truth about our marriage. She’ll deal with the consequences.”
“What?” My hand lifts to my mouth.
Knox nods. “She’s going to risk it. Actually, she already did.” He grabs his phone, typing something, and then turns it around for me to read. My eyes skim the text, widening. She did it.
“She also scheduled the exclusive with Music & Life, so the editor thought she was getting a double whammy when I had told her I wanted an interview. I didn’t share the truth, but Amelia did, and they did a double spread for both of us online tonight. It will be in print tomorrow morning.” He’s still tense, waiting for me to react.
“But…” I scratch my forehead and furrowed brows. “Why did she do this?”
“She wasn’t always a diva. Besides, she finally had her chance to be with CJ, and her publicist was refusing her to make it public. It would’ve taken away from her victim role in this divorce and dulled out the rumors about you and me,” he shrugs as if it’s no big deal. It’s a huge freaking deal.
“But I saw the posts on Instagram, and none of them say this,” I point out.
“It will take a few hours for it to catch wind, and those photos were taken before anything was made public. They saw us and assumed we were getting back together.”
“Why is this so complicated? Why can’t people mind their own?” I ask almost to myself.
“Because people feed off the drama. It nourishes their egos.” He’s never been more right about something.
“Can I ask you something?” I lift my gaze to meet his, struggling to hold the eye contact while I ask what’s coming.
“Always.”
I take a deep breath and let it go, reeling in my emotions. “Did you see Reese?” I tuck my lips into my teeth.
“I did,” he nods. “You have nothing to worry about.” His hands find my hips, and he tugs until I’m standing closer to him. “Ainsley, I’m crazy in love with you. I saw her, and I smiled, seeing how happy she was. And all I could think was, thank you because I never would’ve met you had she been unhappy. You’re the only person I want. I know everything’s been a mess, but things will get better. Now that people know what really went on between Amelia and me, there won’t be much to hang on to in terms of spinning a web of lies.
“People will still be curious about us, but that’s a given as long as I’m in the public eye. I promise, though, it will be more curiosity about our relationship than tearing us apart.”
“How are you so sure?” I lean back a bit and tilt my head up.
“Because we’re a normal couple. Eventually, they’ll get bored of us,” he chuckles.
My eyes widen, “Will you?”
“Nah. You,” he cups my face, “have breathed life back into me. You’ve given me sunshine and hope, and you’ve helped revive my passion and dreams,” he smiles.
“So, you’re really in love with me?” I bite down my smile.
“Crazy in love,” he corrects.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m crazy in love with you if not that’d be embarrassing for you.” I shake my head as seriously as I can be and pat his chest, but the man I love just confessed he loves me, too, so my smile is split open. I can’t even hide it.
Knox leans in, stopping an inch from my lips. “Happy New Year,” his lips brush against mine.
“Happy New Year,” I repeat, molding our mouths together, gripping the lapels of his leather jacket before looping my arms around his neck. His tongue swipes mine, the feel of being in his arms refilling a piece of my heart. It’s been too long since we’ve been like this—no barriers or tension marring our time together.
“Are you hungry?” I ask, breaking away. “I have left over Frito pie, which you would know if you hadn’t ignored my text message.” I step back and cross my arms, lifting an accusatory eyebrow.
“Sorry, but I saw it when we landed. The service was terrible at the event with all the machines and technology running at the same time. By the time I saw it, I was already racing over to talk to you in person.”
“Next time, call me.” I make sure he knows how important it is to me. “I was breaking here after seeing those photos and even before with everything that was going on between us.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I was focused on performing and getting back, I didn’t think,” he searches my face. For the first time in a few weeks, I feel like we are back on track.
“Now, about that meal,” a devilish smile brightens his face.
“Frito pie, the best comfort food,” I tilt my head and smile.
“I was thinking of eating something else.” I squeal when he lifts my body, catching me off guard, and runs his lips down my neck. I moan into the room and rock my hips against his.
“Baby…” he groans. “You. I’m going to eat you.” His words come out forced.
I lean into his ear. “Best meal you’ll ever have,” I whisper before taking his lobe into my mouth and sucking.
“Fuck,” he growls and takes us into my bedroom. “Get naked,” he demands as soon as my feet hit the floor.
“You mean, you don’t want to keep me in my sexy pajamas?” I motion down my baggy clothes.
Knox laughs and shakes his head. “I love you in anything, but right now I want you naked.”
I take my time, stripping out of my frumpy pajamas, wondering how the hell he thinks I look sexy right now. When my pants drop, and he realizes I’m not wearing underwear, his eyes squeeze closed as he takes control of his breathing.
I sit on the bed and scoot back, leaning up on my elbows with a raised eyebrow, challenging him. Wordlessly, his weight presses onto me as his lips smash against mine. Before I can deepen the kiss, he snickers and travels down my body, pausing at my breasts, taking turns as he pulls each nipple into his mouth, teasing me. I squirm beneath him, and his smile spreads against my skin, his beard tickling my sensitive body.
He looks up at me when he stops at my pelvis, nipping my skin with a mischievous smile. My teeth pull my bottom lip in, and my entire body fills with goosebumps. He’s so close to where I want to feel him. I push my hips up, and his hands grab them, keeping them pinned to the mattress.
“Tease,” I moan quietly.
As a response, his tongue swipes up my pussy, making me cry out. “Call me a tease one more time.”
“Tease,” I don’t back down and buck my hips when he runs his tongue over me again, sucking my clit into his mouth.
“Holy shit,” I scream and grip the sheets beside me.
“Call out my name, babe.” His words vibrate against me, adding to the sensation that is quickly leading me down Orgasmville.
I pull his hair and press his head down as his tongue works its magic on my body. My nerve-endings are begging for a release, and my entire body is shaking as he continues his relentless attack. Sweet, sweet torture.
I moan, crying out his name on repeat, as my toes curl and my thighs squeeze his upper body. My orgasm shakes me, rolling waves of desire that knock me stupid as I only focus on riding my climax.
He finally stops when my body goes limp. “Delicious.” He licks his lips
, and I think I just orgasmed a second time watching him do that.
“That was…” I try to catch my breath. I should work out so I can keep up with him.
Knox chuckles, lifting himself over me and kissing me. “Good?” he raises his eyebrows.
“No, better than good. Amazing.” I pull him down, kissing him. “Get naked,” I demand against his lips the same way he did to me earlier.
“Yes, ma’am.” He stands, removing his leather jacket and then his plaid, button-down shirt, tossing them both on the floor as he toes off his boots. His jeans drop, followed by his boxer briefs. He runs a hand up and down his cock, my gaze glued to the movement.
I stand from the bed, moving his hand and replacing it with mine. “I won’t last,” he mumbles.
“Shhh…” I keep moving up and down his length, feeling empowered as he grows in my hand. I guide him to sit on the bed, and his hands immediately go to my hips. I wiggle in his hold and wink before straddling him.
“I’m on the pill,” I state, clear about my intentions.
He makes a sound I’ve never heard before, crossed between a lion and a wolf.
“I love you,” he grabs my head and crashes our mouths together. “Make love to me however you want.”
“You’re sure?” I try to gain control of my desire to make sure we’re both on the same page.
“Never been more certain of anything in my life,” he responds.
His words, mixed with love and assurance, wash over me, and I lift my body. Aligning us, I lower myself on Knox, both of us exhaling audibly.
“You feel so good,” he says through clenched teeth.
“I know.” I nod, giving myself a chance to take this all in before lowering the rest of the way until he’s filling me completely. This is the first time I have ever made love to someone without a condom, and the feeling is night and day when you don’t have a barrier—physically or emotionally.
Needing to feel all of him, I begin to move, his hands supporting my hips. I find his lips, kissing him with wild abandon as our bodies move together. I moan into his kiss as my nipples brush against his chest, adding to the overload of feelings taking over. Knox speeds us up, lifting my body and letting me drop back down, harder and harder. Every part of his body that touches mine adds to my release. My head falls back as I call out, a second orgasm rushing through me.
Mid-orgasm, Knox stands, still inside of me, and turns us around as he starts pounding into me, chasing his own climax and extending mine.
“Oh God,” my words are barely audible as my mouth hangs open and I stare into his brown eyes, also laced with desire.
By the time we both come down, my body is lax.
“Make me one promise,” I whisper, running a hand through Knox’s hair.
“Of course,” he looks at me as he twists us, so we’re lying next to each other, still inside of me.
“We ring in every New Year like this,” I smile, a fool in love.
“I wouldn’t do it any other way,” he promises, kissing my forehead.
Knox
I finish my call with Harris and walk into my bedroom to see Ainsley is already awake. “Good morning,” she says when I walk in.
I climb on the bed next to her and pull her into my arms, my lips finding hers. “Mornin’, had to take a call from Harris,” I explain.
“That’s okay. Everything is good?” She lifts a brow.
“More than.” Thankfully, as soon as word got around about Amelia’s confession and my interview a week ago, things quieted down. They even offered Ainsley her job back at Clarke’s, which she gratefully declined.
“What did he think of the idea?” She looks up at me through mussed, blonde hair.
“He’s on board.” I smile, finally having some grip on my life. I got a couple of calls from other labels when the news broke, but I won’t be signing with any of them. This time, I’m doing things my way.
“This is so exciting. We’re both starting new journeys in our careers.” The sheet falls as Ainsley sits up, exposing her bare chest. I groan and lean in, licking her puckered nipple.
Ainsley giggles and moans at the same time, fingers combing through the back of my hair, my dick taking notice of her nails scraping my scalp.
“We have plans,” she whispers, however, not moving my head away.
“We can be late,” I scrape my teeth before moving to her other nipple, and I’ll bet every dollar I own that her pussy’s wet for me. I move my hand down and groan when I feel her soaked through.
“Babe…” I look up and see dilated pupils drowning the blue in her eyes.
“I can’t wait,” I murmur before I work her body like a vintage guitar, perfect and in-tune with her needs. Right before she climaxes, I move her onto my body and thrust into her. She cries out something I can’t make out and don’t bother trying to decipher as I get lost in her body. When her nails scratch my chest, I pull her mouth down to mine and kiss her with every ounce of need as our movements become erratic.
I should be ashamed it doesn't take long for us to finish, but the truth is, this woman riles me up by just being herself. She’s foreplay without laying a hand on me.
“Well, I guess you really couldn’t wait,” Ainsley says on a giggle, my cock still inside of her.
“I don’t joke when it comes to you.”
Her hand comes to my face. “And I love that about you. As much as I rather stay here with you the rest of the day, we do need to go.” I slap her ass, and she moans. “You do that again, I won’t let you slip out of me.” I want to make her keep that promise, but I know this is important for her—and I have some self-control.
“Love you,” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Go take a shower.”
She carefully lifts her body and stands. Before she walks into the en suite bathroom, she looks at me over her shoulder, “Love you, too.” I stare as her naked body disappears behind the door and lie back, arms behind my head with a proud smile on my face.
I may have thought I wouldn’t find another woman who made me feel this way again, but life threw Ainsley my way and challenged me to keep my distance. I love her like I’ve never loved anyone, even the person I thought I would spend my life with. Everything I lived gave me a different perspective. It taught me to appreciate the people in my life and my relationships. Without that, as much as I hate to admit it, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now.
“I’ll dry my hair in here so you can shower,” Ainsley interrupts my thoughts when she walks out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
“Fine, but this afternoon we’re spending it alone.” I stand and catch her eyes travel down my body. I pause when I reach her and kiss her lips. “You can stare all you want, I’m all yours.”
“Go shower,” she whispers with a small smile and wink, but she doesn’t hide her gawking as I walk away from her, tilting her head to catch my backside when I look over my shoulder.
“Sexy,” she teases.
I jump in the shower, needing to break away before I do keep her to myself. After the last few weeks, I love having her here, being herself again. Now I need to get her to move in with me. I come up with a plan while I get ready. After this meeting we have today, I think I might be able to talk her into it.
…
I watch as Ainsley handles herself like a seasoned professional and wise marketer. When she approached The Mad Batter, offering her services as a freelance marketing specialist, it didn’t take long for Mrs. Engle to call her with a few questions.
Apparently, she’s been wanting to break into the online market to sell her desserts and pastries and hasn’t known which direction to take. Ainsley has brought up great options, along with examples of similar businesses that run online shops and how to package the food, so it doesn’t perish.
“If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me,” Ainsley says with joy.
“Thank you. I’ll look through my budget and call you. I know the beginning will be a little tight,
but I think this is a great way to expand my business and make extra income,” Mrs. Engle smiles warmly.
“It definitely is additional income. With a solid plan, you’ll have orders coming in without even trying,” Ainsley assures her.
“Thank you again. We’ll be in touch.” They stand and shake hands. I follow suit, shaking Mrs. Engle’s hand as well.
I wrap my arm around Ainsley’s shoulder as we leave the shop, but she stops me. “Can I have two mini bundt cakes?” she asks Mrs. Engle.
“Of course, dear.”
Ainsley looks up and leans into me. My arm drops around her waist, kissing the top of her head and tap the top of her thigh. I place a hand over hers when she reaches for her wallet.
“I’m paying,” I tell her with no room for argument.
“Knox…” The stubborn woman still tries to convince me otherwise.
When I lift my eyebrows, she nods and thanks me, knowing it’s a losing battle.
“You’re the best,” she holds me by the waist. “Where to now?”
Wanting to spend some time outdoors, I ask her, “Do you know how to ride a horse?”
Ainsley laughs as if I asked her if she wanted to go swimming in freezing weather. “I can’t ski, what makes you think I can control a horse?”
“Good. I was hoping that’d be your answer. Guess you’ll have to ride with me, make sure you hold on tight,” I wink.
“You really want to ride? Now? In this snow?” Her arms motion around her as if I hadn’t noticed the weather outside.
“Yes, trust me.” I link our fingers and head to my truck. “You did great in there, by the way. I’m really proud.” She’s a natural, and it’s clear she loves what she does. I understand needing to take a step back from your career and figure things out, but I’m glad she came back to her chosen path.
“Thank you. I feel like I did when I first graduated and started working. It’s exciting to get ideas rolling and putting my creativity to work. Granted, I’m running my own business as well, so I’ll have to balance everything, but it’s more fulfilling when you’re doing it for yourself.” Walking down the sidewalk, her steps are light, and her entire body is bright and happy. She has an energy I’m glad is in my life.
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